Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor

About the role

This position is located in the Mental Health Service line at the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) within the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP).

Responsibilities

• Engages in intake and assessment, problem identification, diagnosis, treatment planning, and implementation.
• Uses the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders in formulating treatment goals and applying appropriate clinical interventions.
• Utilizes human development principles through cognitive, affective, and behavioral interventions, addressing high-risk behaviors, wellness, personal growth, and career development across the lifespan.
• Serves on an interdisciplinary team focusing on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational functioning, and employs counseling approaches, strategies, and techniques to assist patients in effective functioning.
• Learns and utilizes software programs used by VHA, maintains accurate and thorough clinical documentation, and delivers services via telehealth.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.
• Makes professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendations for treatment planning and implementation.
• Provides subject matter consultation to colleagues and trainees on the counseling process, builds competence through regular meetings and discussions, and explains assignments, reviews progress of cases, and confers about counseling perspectives and orientation.
• Provides complex crisis intervention and stabilization to patients experiencing psychological distress, requiring independent judgment and skill.
• Establishes goals and treatment plans collaboratively with patients using advanced counseling skills, including evidenced-based practices, screening, and psychosocial assessment.
• Develops and facilitates psychotherapy and psycho-education groups, including life skills, family support, and community integration, possibly incorporating evidence-based psychotherapy.

Requirements

• Full-time, Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm schedule.
• No telework option.
• Virtual position not available.

Qualifications

• Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, including diagnosis and treatment.
• Experience: At least one year of post-master's or post-doctoral degree mental health counseling experience, and must be licensed to practice at the independent practice level.
• Education: Master's or doctoral degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program.
• Licensure: Must be licensed to practice as a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Develops an assessment of the Veteran in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Veteran, family members, and significant others.
• Plans, evaluates, and implements interventions for serious and complicated, highly diverse cases involving psychiatric illness.
• Contributes to the development of the mental health treatment plan and sets achievable treatment goals with the Veteran/family and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Consults and makes recommendations to the interdisciplinary team on the course of treatment.
• Maintains an acceptable level of productivity according to guidelines, which may include special assignments.
• Collaborates with other service providers in reassessing the Veteran's needs.
• Educates the Veteran and/or caregiver about available services and assists them with appropriate referrals based on the Veteran's preference or that of their surrogate decision-maker related to mental health issues.
• Enhances the content of social work resources and community social service programs to benefit Veterans.

Contact Information

VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance